14K yellow gold necklaces in solid gold — 58.3% pure, stamped 14K, not gold filled and not a coating over another metal. Each arrives complete on its own chain at a stated length. Gold at this purity does not tarnish, does not need re-finishing and does not react with skin, which is why it is what people buy when they intend to keep something rather than replace it.
See also 14K yellow gold chains, yellow gold box chains, cable chains, yellow gold snake chains, anchor link chains, heart design necklaces, diamond necklaces and all necklaces and chains.
More about these necklaces
What 14K means, and why not pure gold
Gold is measured in karats out of 24, so 14K is 14 parts gold to 10 parts other metal — 58.3% pure — and that is what the 14K stamp certifies. Pure gold is remarkably soft: a 24K chain would stretch under its own weight and a 24K bail would open. The alloy is what makes the piece hold its shape, keep a polish and survive being worn. It also sets the colour: the copper and silver in a yellow alloy are why 14K reads warmer than 18K, which has more gold in it and is softer for the same reason.
Solid, filled and plated are three different things
Solid gold means the metal is gold all the way through, and that is what everything on this page is. Gold filled is a thick layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal core — better than a coating, but a layer nonetheless, and it can wear through. A gold coating over another metal is thinner still and wears at every point that rubs. The 14K stamp is only applied to solid gold, which is why it is worth looking for: it is a claim about the whole object rather than its surface.
Hollow and solid construction, and why two 18-inch chains differ in price
Two necklaces of the same length and the same karat can differ in price several times over, and the reason is almost always weight. Gold is sold by weight, so a heavier chain costs more because there is more gold in it. Some designs are made hollow — formed as a tube rather than a solid rod — which gives a larger look for less metal and less money. Hollow is genuinely lighter to wear and genuinely easier to dent or kink, and it is harder to repair. Every product page here states the weight in grams and whether the piece is hollow or solid.
Gold does not tarnish — so what is the mark on my skin?
Gold does not react with air or water, which is why a 14K piece looks the same after twenty years. What people occasionally see is a dark or green mark on the skin beneath a necklace, and that is not the gold corroding. It is usually the alloy metals reacting with sweat, cosmetics or chlorine, or simply fine metal dust from abrasion against clothing. It washes off, it does not harm the piece, and it is more common in humid weather and after lotion. Putting jewellery on last, after perfume and cream, prevents most of it.
Lengths, and what sits where
On an adult, 16 inches sits at the base of the throat, 18 inches falls just below the collarbone and clears most necklines, 20 inches reaches the breastbone, and 24 inches sits below it and works over a jumper. A heavier pendant wants a slightly longer chain than you would otherwise choose, because weight pulls the chain forward and the pendant sits lower than the number suggests. Several pieces include a short extender, in which case the stated length is the longest setting.
Common questions
Is 14K gold real gold?
Yes. 14K is 58.3% pure gold alloyed with other metals for strength, and the 14K stamp certifies it. It is solid gold throughout — not gold filled, and not a coating over another metal.
Why is it not 100% gold?
Pure gold is too soft to wear. A 24K chain would stretch under its own weight and a clasp would deform. The alloy gives the piece the hardness to hold its shape and its polish, and also sets the exact colour of the yellow.
Will 14K gold tarnish or turn my skin green?
Gold itself does not tarnish — it does not react with air or water. A mark on the skin, when it happens, comes from the alloy metals reacting with sweat, lotion or chlorine, or from fine metal dust. It washes off and does no harm to the necklace.
What is the difference between solid gold and gold filled?
Solid gold is gold throughout. Gold filled is a layer of gold bonded to a base metal core — thicker and more durable than a coating, but still a layer, and it can wear through. Only solid gold carries the 14K stamp.
Why do two necklaces of the same length cost very different amounts?
Weight, almost always. Gold is priced by weight, so a heavier chain holds more gold and costs more. Hollow construction gives a larger look for less metal. Every product page states the weight in grams.
Can I wear it every day, and in the shower?
Yes to every day — this is what solid gold is for. Showering occasionally will not damage it, though soap leaves a film that dulls the shine, and chlorine in a pool attacks the alloy metals over time. Take it off for swimming.
How do I clean a gold necklace?
Warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, worked gently along the chain, then rinsed and patted dry. Nothing abrasive, and no silver dip. For a piece set with stones, keep the brush soft and avoid working at the setting.
